Birkat Seira in North Darfur pillaged ‘despite protection fees’

20/01/2015 15:14

A number of people in Birkat Seira, Saraf Umra locality, sustained various injuries in a raid by militiamen on Sunday evening.
Speaking to Dabanga, one of the victims reported from Birkat Seira that “a group of government-backed militiamen stormed El Wihda, El Madaris, and Hai Muzra districts at about 9.30 pm”.
“They beat and whipped the residents, before they robbed them of their money, mobile phones, and other property,” he said.

A number of people in Birkat Seira, Saraf Umra locality, sustained various injuries in a raid by militiamen on Sunday evening.

Speaking to Dabanga, one of the victims reported from Birkat Seira that “a group of government-backed militiamen stormed El Wihda, El Madaris, and Hai Muzra districts at about 9.30 pm.

“They beat and whipped the residents, before they robbed them of their money, mobile phones, and other property,” he said.

“Many people were wounded. District sheikh Adam Abdelaziz Yousef, Sheikh El Nur, imam of the Birkat Seira mosque, and Ahmadey Mohamed Ahmadey were seriously injured.”

The source explained that every household of Birkat Seira, populated by some 15,000 people, is paying SDG10 ($1.70) each month to the militia commander in the area, Mahmoud Sayed Ahmed, for protection.

He urged the militia commander to “immediately return the stolen goods, and punish the attackers”.